Deer Policy, Research and Data Manager Grade: E Location: primary – Inverness, consider Aviemore, Golspie – home and hybrid working considered. Closing date: 18 June Salary: £46,682 to £51,868. Job purpose summary The purpose of this post is to lead in the co-ordination and management of tasks and people to deliver our programme of work on deer management. This post will be responsible for leading on all deer policy functions across Scotland and supporting the delivery of Scottish Biodiversity Strategy outcomes. In delivering the work programme, this post will provide strategic direction, tactical guidance and management of data. It will support project governance, resource planning and management. It has a key role in liaising with and reporting to the Strategic Deer Board and working closely with other public agency and key stakeholder interests. The post will manage a team of staff which will support the delivery of this work. The post covers the whole of Scotland and will require the ability to travel independently, as public transport is not always available and sites are remote. On occasions, this will require travel and nights away from home. Context NatureScot has a statutory responsibility to further the conservation, control and sustainable management of all wild deer species in Scotland. The sustainable management of Scotland’s deer is vital to enhance biodiversity and achieve a net zero future. The twin climate and biodiversity crises will see a much greater urgency to our efforts to ensure we realise our ambitious targets on vital issues such as forest regeneration, woodland creation, peatland restoration and habitat improvement. There is an increased focus on managing deer impacts to support biodiversity outcomes and bring about the transformational land use reform needed to deliver on climate, as well as addressing public safety issues and impacts to agriculture. Delivering the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy objectives of halting loss by 2030 and delivering nature restoration at scale across Scotland by 2045 will require significant reductions in deer impacts and populations. This will require working with a range of stakeholder interests to deliver transformational change, at pace. Requirements The post holder will lead a team of staff in a programme of work with land managers in delivering sustainable deer management to achieve biodiversity and climate outcomes by addressing deer impacts through effective control and management The main duties and responsibilities are: Advocacy & alignment • Provide high quality project management in a multi-faceted, complex and accelerating Programme of work which delivers on the Deer Working Group Recommendations and Natural Environment Bill changes to legislation. • Lead the policy and projects team in maintaining a strategic and coordinated approach to policy development, project delivery, data and evidence gathering and analysis. • Work closely with Scottish Government and public agencies and collaborate with stakeholder interests. • Reach out and coordinate with other teams within NatureScot activities and other public agencies to ensure the team and projects get the required input and support. • Work closely with external stakeholder organisations to support and influence projects and initiatives that deliver sustainable deer management. Leadership & facilitation • Lead the team in developing policy intent for aspects of legislative change, policy positions based on evidence, benefits, opportunities and costs ensuring that the rationale for positions is robust. • Lead the NatureScot work on: Data collection, collation and analysis; and development of appropriate KPIs and reporting. This will establish common data standards, spatial data templates and guidance across all partners involved in carrying out operational activities. • Support the communications team to promote the benefits of effective deer management and achievements of the work programme. Monitoring success • With the Head of Wildlife Management develop and implement an effective mechanism for setting clear goals and milestones, monitoring delivery and reporting on progress against SBS and Corporate Plan outcomes. • Report on assigned risks, finance and progress to the NatureScot Wildlife Activity and Strategic Deer Board. Managing resources • Lead, manage and develop a team of staff comprised of policy officers and project leads including staff involved in data and evidence gathering and analysis. • Manage and lead projects using resources from other teams in NatureScot. • Manage workloads of the team in an environment where volumes of reactive work vary and put measures in place to build resilience into the team. • Manage the team budget, and commission/manage contracts where required. • Lead the data team in supporting and training operational delivery staff with the competencies to collect the data needed to evidence delivery of outcomes. Prerequisites • To undertake a Disclosure Scotland application. • Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan. • Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract Skills required, (please address these in your Supporting Statement): We are looking for an excellent project manager with strong people management skills to lead the policy team. 1. Experienced leadership in programme and project management, with ability to plan and prioritise workloads, and manage multiple tasks within resource limits and financial constraints. 2. People and team management, including experience of collaborative cross-team working and managing a growing or changing team. 3. A good understanding of current Scottish land management issues, deer and herbivore management. 4. Communication skills, including influencing, listening, and translation of technical or scientific concepts to a range of audiences. 5. Collaboration and effective liaison with agencies, NGOs, academia and representative bodies. 6. Comfortable with being challenged, ability to mediate and collaborate with a range of views with tact and diplomacy. 7. Experience of operating in a dynamic work environment, with an ability to learn and adapt to new circumstances, and work collaboratively. 8. Ability to resolve problems, including the use of novel and innovative techniques. 9. Driving licence or other means of transport. NatureScot’s Net Zero commitment Whether working at home or in an office, or travelling to meetings and site visits, as a NatureScot you will contribute to our Net Zero plan, for example through positive carbon travel choices. Application Process Before applying for this post: • Internal applicants should read the Self Service Guide (eRDMS A3155575) • External applicants should read the Online Job Application Guide All Applicants please note if you have already applied for a vacancy on Fusion please ensure you remove the supporting statement saved in your profile and upload your new supporting statement.